The first ever Lifetime Achievement Award was presented to Chippenham Museum volunteer Peggy Burgess to celebrate her 17 years of dedication and enthusiasm.

The museum welcomed over 40 of its team of volunteers to a Christmas Party at Chippenham Town Hall on December 10 to celebrate a busy and successful year at the museum. The group enjoyed speeches from the Deputy Chief Executive of Chippenham Town Council, the Town Mayor and the museum’s Curator before a tasty lunch and festive quiz.

The Mayor of Chippenham Coun Andy Philips gave Volunteer Service Awards to recognise five, ten and 15 and more years of support - as well as Mrs Burgess's Lifetime award.

Museum curator Melissa Barnett said: “We have a wonderful community of volunteers and our Christmas Party is one of the ways we like to thank them for their endless energy and support, particularly over the past year whilst we have developed our new museum entrance and gallery space.”

During 2018 Chippenham Museum opened a new temporary exhibition gallery with funding from Arts Council England which has already hosted a number of popular exhibitions including “Welcome to Little Bath: Gossip & Scandal in Georgian Chippenham” and currently “Remembrance: Remembering the Great War."

In May this year the museum also opened a new entrance and retail space, stocking a far greater selection of items inspired by Chippenham or made locally ranging from books and children’s toys to food and jewellery.

For details about current volunteer opportunities, including welcoming visitors in the museum’s new entrance space, visit Chippenham Museum’s website at chippenham.gov.uk, call 01249 705020 or visit in person.